For Buyers or Sellers

Easing the Transition to Your New Home

As your local team of relocation experts, our team is often asked what moving tips we have to offer to our clients. With that in mind, below is a list of helpful moving tips to help reduce your stress during your move to Valley Glen, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake or San Fernando Valley area.

Use the Right Boxes, and Pack Them Carefully!

Professional moving companies will use only sturdy, reinforced cardboard cartons to move your personal belongings. The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be free, however they are not nearly as strong to protect your valuables from harm when they are in transit. If you are responsible for packing your own belongings, we recommend these protective measures:

Use bubble wrap, sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures and other fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton.

Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and stacked.

If you employ the services of a professional mover, be sure to point out to them the boxes in which you've packed and make sure those boxes are marked as fragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.

The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label your boxes, especially the one containing sheets and towels, so you can find everything you need the first night in your new home.

For Your Family's Safety and Comfort

For older children, we recommend you teach your children your new address. Why not let them practice writing it on their packed cartons of toys and clothing. You can lighten your load and reduce any storage space you need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.

Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing items you will need when you first arrive at your new address. Those items might include snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry items (make sure caps are tightly secured), flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper towels, and any other items your family can't do without. Ask your van foreman to load these boxes last, so they will be unloaded first at your new home. Be sure to keep prescription medicine with you just in case the movers are delayed in route to your new home.

Pets, Electronics and Odds & Ends

On moving day, keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from all the activity.

Once you have moved to your new home, allow all your electronics (computers, TV’s, home theater system, etc.) to return to room temperature before plugging them in.

Since you may need to call old neighbors or businesses from your new home, be sure to pack your phone book.

We recommend you work hand in hand with your mover and give the moving foreman your contact information, including your cell phone numbers and email addresses, so he can remain in contact with you. Be sure to secure the mover’s contact information too!

Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make a note of your shipment's registration number, and always keep your Bill of Lading handy.

If you're moving long distance, ask if your belongings will be sharing a truck with several other households. Your mover might have to warehouse your furniture and belongings for a few days. It is important to ask your mover whether your goods will remain on the truck until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask whether you can check the warehouse for organization, security and cleanliness.

By following these simple tips, your family’s move to this area will be less stressful and easier to manage. If you are thinking about relocating to Valley Glen, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake or San Fernando Valley area, contact us, The Re/Max Matt Epstein Team 2000 for all your homebuying needs!

Maximize the sale of your home by earning money from items you no longer need or want. Organize your neighbors and plan a garage sale in your community.

The following are unique tips from Arman Grigoryan with Re/Max Matt Epstein Team 2000 that will help earn the most amount of income from your next garage sale:

Allow Yourself Plenty of Time to Organize Your Entire Home- including the garage and basement. The goal of your sale is to sell items you don't need or want so you can earn money and move less. Many of these items are residing in the garage and basement. Don't miss this great opportunity by not giving yourself ample time to prepare and organize.

Select a GOOD Garage Sale Date - Saturdays are a good day for a garage sale because bargain hunters are more likely to be available on a Saturday. Make sure you do not schedule your garage sale on a holiday or during an event like a Sherman Oaks Fair.

Bigger is Better- Invite your neighbors, a brownie troop, or the local boy scouts troop to join your sale. The more goods for sale, the better your sale will look, inviting more potential bargain hunters.

Involve the Kids- Ask them to help out by having them clean out their rooms and allow them to earn money from the sale by encouraging them to sell beverages and snacks.

Sell toys, appliances, furniture, and tools- Practical household goods have a much better chance of selling than adult clothes.

Advertise, Advertise, Advertise- Do not forget to promote your sale by posting signs in your neighborhood and on major intersections near your home. And take out an advertisement in at least one local paper. Make sure you tell your other neighbors, co-workers, and friends.

Make it Easy to Find Your Sale- On all of your advertising, do not forget to tell people where your home is located in the San Fernando area. Attempt to make directions to your home easy for people to understand.

Have Lots Of Change On Hand- Singles, fives, tens, and coins are best. Be prepared to break lots of $20 dollar bills.

Donate the Remainder of Your Goods to Charity- Instead of putting all of the clutter back into your home, donate the remaining items to charity for a tax deduction. Some charities will even come to your home and pick your goods up at no charge to you.

If you have a good tip about how to maximize your next garage sale, contact Arman Grigoryan with Matt Epstein Team 2000 and we will add it to the list.

Moving Checklist

Send Change of Address Cards to:

Credit Card Companies

Schools and Colleges

Government Agencies

Bank and Investment Services

Subscriptions

Relatives, Friends, and Neighbors

Past and Present Employers

Doctors/ Dentist

Accountant

Lawyer

Insurance Agent

Church

Organizations/Clubs

Disconnect Utilities: Get refunds for any deposits made and advise where final bills are to be sent.

Water

Electric

Gas

Telephone

Cable TV

Other

Cancel Deliveries

Water/Milk/Food Products

Newspapers

Diaper Service

Notify Post Office

Other

Transfer Bank Accounts

Checking

Savings (IRA's, RRSP's, other)

Safe Deposit Box

Notify Insurance Companies

Health

Life

Auto

Home Owners

Check with insurance agent on coverage of life, car and household goods en route to new home.

Pick up Personal Items

Dry Cleaning/ Shoe Repair

Prescriptions

Obtain Records

Obtain school records for children

Obtain birth and church records for all family members.

Check to see if your will must be rewritten when moving across provincial or state boundaries.

Obtain any legal records.

Obtain Medical Records

General

Dentist

Optometrist

Specialists

Veterinarian

Have Medication Prescriptions Refilled or get prescription numbers.

For The Moving Trip:

Have car tuned up for trip

Leave keys and any necessary legal papers with your real estate agent

Make a list of your credit card numbers in case of emergency or theft

Pack Immediate Necessities Bag

Medications for family and pets

Kids favorite play things

Change of clothes for all family members. Include a bathing suit.

Legal papers/medical records

Moving Checklist for Kids

Always bring your favorite toy or stuffed animal with you to keep you company the day of the move.

Remember to bring a night-light or flashlight if you need to stay in a hotel during the move.

Pack bedtime stories to bring with you.

A backpack filled with toys, games, coloring books, and crayons will keep you busy while your parents help the packers unload the van at your new home.

When packing have your parents label your boxes with your name so you'll know where all your special things are.

Have your parents take some pictures of your best friends and frame them to take to your new home. This will keep you from being lonely until you can make new friends in your neighborhood.

Help your pets during the move by hugging them and telling them that they'll like your new house.

Tell your friends you are moving and get their addresses and phone numbers so you can write or call them.

Don't forget to say good-bye to your teachers if you are changing schools. Thank them for all that you have learned from them.

Moving can be a fun adventure! Smile and know that everyone wants you to love your new home and neighborhood.

Moving Day:

Carry ample cash or travelers checks to cover expenses until a new account is set up

Transport jewelry, documents and other valuables yourself or use registered mail

Plan for pets travel and arrival to new area

Alert close friend or relative of the route and schedule you will travel for emergencies

Re-check closets, drawers, etc. to make sure they are empty

Leave keys and garage door openers for new owners

At Your New Home:

Get certified or cashiers check for closing

Check on service of telephone, furnace, etc.

Arrange for medical services

Have new address recorded on driver’s license

Apply for state’s driver’s license

Call your Realtor for referrals

Moving with Pets

Tips to Successfully Moving with Your Pets

1. Remember that moving your home isn't always just stressful for you, but also your pets too.

Pets notice small changes. When you start to pack your home in boxes, your pets will know that something is different. During this time, make sure you allow them to smell the boxes and suit cases so they understand the change is occuring.

2. Plan accordingly and make sure you have a solid plan to move your pets.

Your pets should either be the first element removed from your house or the last. If you have an older pet who may not handle stress well, it would be wise for this pet to go stay with family members while you pack your old house until you have unpacked your new house. If you have a healthy and flexible animal, make sure they are securely transported in YOUR vehicle. Remember, using a pet carrier to transport your pet is always recommended for their saftey.

3. Do not get a new pet before the big move.

Humane societies and veternarians agree that adopting a new pet before a move can be stressful for a pet. New pets require a secure and stress- free environment to be correctly introduced into a household. If you are moving your home, you will not be available to provide the extra attention a new pet requires. Wait to adopt until after you are settled in your new home.

4. If you are moving away from your veternarian, make sure you obtain your pets vet records.

Obtaining your pets veternarian records is an important to- do before you move. By completing this task, you'll be one step ahead for when you take your pet to the new vets office. Your new vet will be aware of your pets previous vaccinations and overall history, enabling your new vet to have the best start to caring for your pet.

5. Make sure you pets tags are attached and up-to-date before moving day.

With open doors and windows during moving day, you will either want to secure your pet in a closed off room, a pet carrier or kennel before all of the commotion begins. You will also want to ensure your pets are wearing their tags and that the contact information is up-to- date in the event that your pet escapes while your belongings are being moved.

6. If you are traveling to your new home and you have to stay at a hotel overnight, make sure your hotel allows for your pet to stay in your room.

Call ahead to inquire whether your pet is allowed to stay inside your hotel room. You may have to pay and extra fee for a pet deposit, but it will be worth it knowing your pet is safe inside with you.

7. Seek the advice of your vet before you move.

Your veternarian knows what is best for your pet. Before you move, contact your vet and describe your individual moving situation and see if he/ she can recommend anything that will lessen the stress of moving your pet.